Concepts NREC's test laboratories contain instrumentation from classical pneumatic and thermal probes and traverses to more sophisticated hot-wire/hot-film and laser anemometers, high frequency pressure transducers, and proximity probes. Data acquisition systems, laboratory software, traversing equipment, instrumentation devices (probes), and calibration services for various pressure and temperature probes are all available. Concepts NREC utilizes, as well as sells and leases, Polytec laser two-focus velocimeters.
Wide Range of Test Rigs
Concepts NREC's test facilities include 60mm, 90mm, and 120mm test rigs. Impellers up to 127mm are commonly tested in the largest (120mm) rig and on one occasion a 150mm impeller has been tested. A further resource is the advanced instrumentation capabilities. Concepts NREC leads the industry in the utilization of precise pneumatic traversing for high performance radial flow stages. Using a computer-controlled data acquisition system, detailed internal pressures and temperatures can be acquired and processed. Laboratory data files are generated which can be directly used by other codes to process the traverse and impeller cover static pressure data. The data can also be automatically processed through COMPAL® (our 1D meanline code) to generate full performance maps and detailed component aerodynamic performance parameters.
Three Test Chambers
Our 9,000 square foot laboratory facility in Woburn includes three test chambers, each with complete utilities and acoustic isolation. One test chamber contains a Solar gas turbine system and is used primarily to drive single-stage compressors up to 1300 hp at speeds up to 41,000 rpm. The second test chamber is utilized for general turbomachinery testing. It contains a 400 hp Sundstrand hydraulic drive that is easily adaptable to rigs with integral gearing or designed to operate directly from electric motors. The output speed of this drive system is variable up to 4,000 rpm. The third chamber is equipped with a 10-ton crane system and an 8- by 12-foot slot plate permanently secured flush with its floor. This test chamber is utilized for general testing of machinery systems, flow test loops, and when needed, as a secure assembly area.
Recirculated Cooling Water Installation
All test chambers have access to a recirculated cooling water installation, direct access to the building's exterior, and the capability of supplying compressed air up to 500 cfm. Above each of the chambers is an ASME standard flow measurement section, and each chamber is linked to a central data acquisition system.
Automated Data Acquisition Facilities
Using automated data acquisition and reduction routines, our central data acquisition facility can be configured to sequentially scan up to 144 pressures, 40 electrical signals, and 50 temperatures. This facility can acquire and analyze dynamic pressure signals and vibration sensors as well as the scanned steady state data.
Thermal Testing and Heat-Shrink Assembly
Laboratory ancillary operations are supported in the areas adjacent to the main laboratory. These include equipment for installing instrumentation into test hardware, ovens for thermal testing and heat-shrink assembly, and an electronics laboratory.
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